I've been actively pursuing competency in NVC since 2008 or so and figure I'll be working on it for the rest of my time on this planet. I facilitated NVC classes at Oregon State Penitentiary as part of the Oregon Prison Project for about three years and loved to learn with the inmates. Needs met for me there were primarily connection, community and contribution. I've taken quite a few workshops from a variety of trainers including LaShelle Charde, Selene Aitken, Sara Peyton, Robert Gonzales, Fred Sly, Gary Baran and Liv Monroe; helped facilitate NVC community classes with Gary Baran from time to time; and I'm in a practice group in Yachats. I'm actively working on bringing more NVC to the coast. We will have our third yearly training out here this March.